I finished my first calendar year with 380 daily claims and 33 flood claims with Pilot / Allstate. I'm home now and things are slow (at the moment) and I don't do "slow" well. I signed up for AIC training. I've got the time before storm season starts and one can always learn more to be a better adjuster, right?
If you are a green adjuster like me, I'd say consider spending the $300 or whatever it is and take the AIC training. Here's why: if your adjusting path is similar to mine with simple roof claims, water back ups, drive by shootings, and vandalism in your first year or two, your employer told you how to do your job but not necessarily why you do it the way it should be done. Associate in Claims training teaches WHY the processes and procedures are put in place...which makes all the difference.
For example, I was told to get nonwaivers signed when dec pages were incorrect on some of the flood claims I did in NY. I was told to explain to the insureds that refused to sign a nonwaiver that they'd be getting a letter of reservation of rights from the Carrier. Ok, I'm a good soldier, I do what I'm told and that's what I did. But now I know exactly WHY I was told to do those things. Why is it important to the Carrier? Why is it important to the insured? Why is it important to the claim handling process?
Just the three chapters I've completed so far have made me look back on my first year and critique my performance as an employee. What could I have done better? What did I do well? What will I do to correct bad behaviors? What can I learn?
I do believe I would have done a better job all around had I had completed this training before I inspected my first loss in March of last year. But then, I was all about getting hired so I really didn't know any better.
But now's the time for the green guys like me: you're not working as much at the moment, you've got the Xmas decorations put away, you want to keep your skills sharp, and the Chicago Bears season is over so you won't be spending your free time on ESPN.com/nfl. So consider your AIC.
(UNLESS, of course everybody already knows that and I'm the last one to the party meaning this post will be met with scorn and derision from the oldtimers. Then feel free to delete this post, Mod.)